The Gurus Explore Tasmania
With thanks to Yates - Honda - Country Club Tasmania - Pure - Wrest Point - Thrifty and Qantas 

Our Itinerary…
Day 6 Thursday

A real jewel of Cradle Mountain has to be Greg Mckerrow. Greg is the owner of Tasmanian Mountain Adventure Tours, and if you get the chance an absolute must do is his Night Spotlight Tour. We ran into Greg as he was setting up for the tour the night before and he agreed to show us some of his special places in the Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/natparks/cradle/

Greg introduced Trevor to a magical King Billy pine, celery-top pine and myrtle forest walk. So mythical and primordial that it was used as a location recently for Walking with the Dinosaurs. The walk is called Weindorfers Forest, named after Gustav and Kate Weindorfer who built the guest chalet in 1912. The chalet was named Waldheim, meaning "forest home". You can explore the chalet, nestled in the hills right near Cradle Mountain.

If you happen to be in the area during Autumn, don’t miss the turning of the fagus…
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/veg/fagus/fagus.html It is Australia's only winter-deciduous tree, growing in some of most inhospitable places in Tasmania.

We pressed on after Greg’s infamous hospitality, striking out for the rugged west coast, ultimately over-nighting in Strahan Village http://www.strahanvillage.com.au/.

The gateway to the Gordon River and a quaint port in its own right, Strahan Village is a relaxed and extremely well preserved town with a pioneering heart. You can even stay in some of the waterfront character cottages along the Esplanade. Strahan became the export port for the mining town of Queenstown, linked by a rack and pinion railway, which Trevor will be exploring tomorrow.

We were fortunate enough to stay in the hilltop harbour view rooms, where we could watch the sun set over Macquarie Harbour whilst enjoying a sundowner on the balcony.

Rebuilt in 1936, Hamers Hotel, part of Strahan Village, captures the old-world charm of this mining port turned fishing village, where the walls almost speak to you of bygone eras. Settle back by the open log fire with locals for a local ale or select from a range of Tasmanian wines. The bistro offers steaks, seafood, chicken, pasta and daily seasonal specials. A comprehensive wine list is also available.

Another option for dinner is View 42° Restaurant and Bar Set on the hilltop overlooking the village and harbour, Macquarie Restaurant has superb views and offers an exquisite dining experience. Be sure to try the seafood buffet featuring the freshest catch from the local fleet.

Driving instructions: Just 1.5-2 hour’s drive from Cradle Mountain, head west on the C132 towards the mining town of Tullah. At the T junction, head south on the A10 through Tullah, Rosebery and Zeehan, turning left just before entering Zeehan township towards Strahan.



Contacts:

Tasmanian Mountain Adventure Tours
Greg Mckerrow
Phone 0428 138 593 or 03 6492 1404

Strahan Village,
The Esplanade Strahan
phone: (03) 6471 4200




So, you want to experience Strahan for yourself? Try this deal thanks to puretasmania.com.au

This quaint historic West Coast fishing village provides a variety of unique holiday accommodation, including beautifully appointed waterfront cottages and terraces.
Strahan Village offers 141 deluxe accommodation style rooms designed to complement the seaside atmosphere, including the luxuriously appointed Waterfront Executive Suites, spacious Harbour View rooms set on the hilltop, Waterfront Cottages and Terraces designed to echo the history of the region, with outlooks over the waterfront or rainforest.

Strahan Village is offering Waterfront Cottage from $162 per room, per night, including two full buffet breakfasts

Whilst you are staying in Strahan take advantage of the Gordon River cruise aboard Lady Jane Franklin II from $68 per person and then hop on board the West Coast Wilderness Railway from $81 per person valid to 30/9/2007, subject to availability, conditions apply. For further information and bookings phone 1800 084 620 or visit www.puretasmania.com.au

Plus Thrifty’s great offer: hire a car for three days and get a fourth day free
valid to 30/9/2007, subject to availability, conditions apply. For further information and bookings phone 1300 367 227 or visit www.thrifty.com.au